Panic in Kremlin after Putin's alleged limousine explodes near FSB headquarters

Motor and Fontanka.ru have reported on the incident.

The fire reportedly occurred late in the evening, with a video showing the burning car circulating on social media.

According to Motor, the car is a 2024 model, unarmored, and registered under the Avtotransportny Kombinat, which is part of the Putin's Affairs Directorate. The vehicle, developed by NAMI (the same manufacturer behind the Aurus Senat), is assembled in Elabuga, Tatarstan.

Fire extinguishers were ineffective in putting out the flames, requiring firefighters to be called to the scene. It is noted that the car is unlikely to be repaired due to the severe damage: the interior was completely destroyed, and the engine compartment was also heavily impacted.

The car was part of Putin's fleet, and a photo of the incident was shared via a screenshot.

Official dealer websites state that Aurus vehicles are equipped with a fire suppression system designed to detect and extinguish fires in the engine bay and beneath the car. However, in this case, it failed to activate. The incident is expected to be investigated further.

NAMI did not respond to questions from journalists regarding the cause of the fire, despite the car being equipped with modern safety systems. NAMI's General Director, Fedor Nazarov, simply said, "No comment."

Spokesman Andrey Garmay initially criticized the journalist for calling on a Saturday, suggesting email contact instead. However, he later called back and promised to provide updates once more information was available.

Bild reported that the explosion occurred near the headquarters of the Russian secret service. The car in question was a black Aurus Senat, valued at €330,000. However, the identity of the individual using the vehicle at the time remains unclear, as Bild reports. No injuries have been reported thus far.

The Bild report adds that the incident has caused panic within the Kremlin, where fears of attacks are already high. This comes on the heels of a December 2024 bomb detonation that killed Putin's nuclear general, Igor Kirillov, and his aide. The bomb, hidden inside an e-scooter, was claimed by Ukraine, leading to further concerns that Ukrainian forces had infiltrated Moscow.

Despite these mounting threats, Putin himself remains under heavy protection. "Before traveling, the target area is inspected for months, cell phones are monitored, and bomb jammers are installed," Bild notes.